Kota kinabalu: All major party leaders who are candidates in the 17th Sabah state election have completed their voting obligations as of 12 noon today. Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, who is contesting the Sulaman state seat, finished voting at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Serusup, Tuaran at 11.42 am.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, who is contesting the Lamag state seat, voted at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Bukit Garam, Kinabatangan at 11.20 am. Apart from them, Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) president Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup, who represents BN in the Sook seat, voted at Sekolah Pekan Ansip, Sook, while Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) acting president Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam, the Kundasang seat candidate, voted at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Kundasang.

Also completing their responsibilities were Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (PGRS) president Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif, the Membakut candidate, who voted at SMK Membakut 2, Kimanis, while Parti Warisan (Warisan) president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, the Senallang candidate, voted at SK Bubul, Semporna.

In addition, Sabah DAP chairman Phoong Jin Zhe, the Likas candidate, voted at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Tinggi Kota Kinabalu, and Sabah PKR deputy chairman Datuk Peto Galim, the Inanam candidate, voted at SK Kokol, Manggatal.

Also voting were three federal deputy ministers contesting in the state election. Deputy Minister of Plantations and Commodities Datuk Chan Foong Hin, who is contesting in the Tanjung Aru seat, voted at SK Bahang, Penampang. Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Datuk Mohammad Yusof Apdal, the Silam candidate, voted at SMK Terusan, Lahad Datu, while Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Datuk Mohamad Alamin, the BN candidate in the Bongawan seat, voted at SK Our Lady, Papar.

The 17th Sabah polls saw a total of 596 candidates contesting for 73 state assembly seats.